Thursday, May 25, 2017

It is with a heavy heart that I announce today the passing of an unsung Cleveland heavy metal legend who has slipped away forever from those who knew and loved him. Don't worry, I understand that you don't recognize the man pictured here. His chosen place was offstage and out of the spotlight of so-called social media. What you need to know is that since 1979 brother "Squeaky" was the first member of the original Black Death inner circle, known collectively as The Wrecking Crew and celebrated as such on the 1984 Black Death 7" single. His name can be spotted on the back cover credits of the debut Auburn Records LP. Squeaky was a formidable guitar player himself and the man responsible for introducing Siki Spacek to Jimi Hendrix and Judas Priest, along with countless more obscure but no less influential bands and musicians, long before Black Death was conceived. In fact, it was Squeaky who first introduced Siki Spacek to guitarist Greg Hicks and drummer Phil Bullard on the exact same fateful day that Siki was expelled from high school in 1977. His introduction directly resulted in the forming of the band and the legacy of great American heavy metal that is carried on today by Black Death Resurrected​ and celebrated by so many TRUE headbangers around the world! Squeaky was known to avoid any personal attention, yet it was his friendship and support that encouraged Siki to overcome his early stage fright to become the incredible performer that he is to this day (if you have any doubt, join us at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn on June 16, 2017 for Defenders Of The Old festival and see for yourself). Now take another look at the unassuming dude smoking a cigarette on his porch above and go TURN YOUR MUSIC UP LOUD in memory of Squeaky! The "Four Dark Horsemen," as Siki lovingly refers to the classic Black Death lineup, have lost one of their own. Squeaky will not be forgotten. R.I.P.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

My birthday is coming up and I've decided to make an old private tradition very public. Join me for this one-night-only screening of what I very earnestly believe to be one of the greatest cinematic triumphs of the late 20th century, Alejandro Jodorowsky's absolutely devastating masterpiece of psychological terror and heart-rending beauty, SANTA SANGRE (1989)!

Loosely based on the presumably true story of a convicted Mexican serial killer who is released from a mental hospital only to become entangled in the familial roots of his madness, acclaimed Chilean-Russian-French auteur Jodorowsky tosses every sacred cow and Freudian symbol into the meat grinder as he propels his audience on a violent mythological journey into the very darkest night of the soul. At turns hilarious, horrifying and utterly perplexing, SANTE SANGRE is ultimately more linear than his more infamous films EL TOPO (1970) and HOLY MOUNTAIN (1973), but is all the more impactful for its serrated clarity of vision. Filmed entirely on location in Mexico City (employing dozens of real prostitutes, circus freaks and riot police), and produced/co-written by Claudio Argento (SUSPIRIA, DEEP RED, DAWN OF THE DEAD, etc.), SANTA SANGRE is a master filmmaker's love poem to the rich history of horror cinema even as it spirals toward the most outer fringes of genre.

The newly restored digital transfer of the original uncut negative that we will be screening will be nothing less than a rite of passage for your eyeballs (and ears!) on the massive Hollywood Theatre screen. You have been warned. Tickets available NOW. Bring your mom.

Monday, May 01, 2017

That's screenwriter Randall Jahnson (The Mask of Zorro, Dudes, The Doors) receiving a tarot reading from our guest witches in the lobby before the film.

Thank you to all who joined us this year for a very special Walpurgisnacht at Hollywood Theatre! We stirred the cauldron and chaos reigned, so we apologize for the slightly wonky start time on this event. However, we trust that the absolutely beautiful 35mm print of Eyes of Fire more than made up for any confusion tossed in our collective paths. Special thanks to our witches, Odessa Godoy, Erin Aquarian and Ann Heideman. As always, thanks to everyone at the Hollywood Theatre, especially the staff who very eloquently fielded complaints from offended Christians. You can't please all the people all the time...and that is certainly never my personal goal. That said, 100 of you received a handmade traditional corn husk doll courtesy of Wyrd War, and all of you now receive my deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. May Day is a time to seize the full transformative potential of your being. Take the fire inside you! Witches are real. Witchcraft is alive. From the field to the film...